Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions and employing moving photometer means

Abstract

Apparatus for measuring progressively the absorbance changes of a large number of aliquots from a plurality of different samples. The sample introduction, testing instructions, aliquot preparation, reagent dispensing, absorbance measuring and data recording all can be accomplished in a continuous mode of processing. Stat and batch operation also can be accomplished. The aliquots are in an array of cuvettes which is advanced slowly along a circular path. Photometer means, preferably having several photometric detectors, are mounted in fixed orientation on a common support that advances rapidly along a similar circular path, such that radiation passing through each of the cuvettes is monitored many times by a specific photometric detector by the time that that cuvette completes one circuit of its path. The photometric detectors can operate at several different wavelengths. Many different chemical reactions can be monitored at the same time. The radiant energy passing through each cuvette is received by the continuously moving photometer means, is converted electrically into a digitized value proportional to absorbance and is transmitted digitally from the moving assemblage of photometric detectors, cuvettes and electrical components to a stationary receiver. In one embodiment, the digital transmission is in the form of a pulsed train of light signals. In another embodiment, one or more slip rings transmit electric signals from the moving assemblage to the stationary portion. Suitable drive elements, sample and reagent storage and transfer mechanisms as well as cuvette laundry means may be provided as part of the complete apparatus.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for monitoring chemical reactions occurring in a plurality of liquid or the like sample substances carried in a plurality of respective cuvettes whose walls are at least to some extent capable of transmitting radiant energy which comprises, A. a support structure,   B. a horizontally disposed cuvette carrier having a plurality of cuvettes disposed thereon in a circular array around the periphery of the carrier and the array having a central vertical axis, the cuvette carrier being nonrotatably mounted on the support structure,   C. a rotor horizontally disposed parallel with the cuvette carrier and mounted for rotation on the said axis,   D. a plurality of photometers arranged on said rotor and each including a photoresponsive element and there being radiant energy source means serving all of the photoresponsive elements and directing a direct rectilinear beam of radiant energy to each of them whereby there is at least one beam for each element, the source means and elements being geometrically arranged in a radial configuration around the rotor, and the beams being so located that each will cut through all of the cuvettes in sequence during rotation of the rotor,   E. means for driving the rotor in a rotary movement,   F. the photoresponsive elements being responsive to the beams to produce electrical signals when intercepted by cuvettes, the signals being related to the chemical conditions of sample substance, if any, carried by the respective cuvettes,   G. means for generating usable data from any such signals associated with said support structure and non-rotatable, and   H. means for coupling the signals from the rotor to said last mentioned means.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the cuvette carrier is wholly removable from the support structure to enable replacement thereof by another such carrier. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the source means comprise a single lamp in the center of the rotor and each beam emanates from said lamp. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which the source means comprise a lamp associated with each photometer, the movement of the rotor carrying the cuvettes between the lamps and the photoresponsive element of each photometer. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1 in which an A/D converter is mounted on said rotor between each respective photoresponsive element and said coupling means whereby the photoresponsive elements pass analog signals while said coupling means pass digital signals.